High school football: Juan Diego Soaring Eagle 2020 preview

Note: Juan Diego finished with a 5-6 overall record in 2019 and was third in Region 13 with a 3-2 record. It was RPI seed No. 8 in the 3A playoffs, and was eliminated by North Sanpete 26-9 in quarterfinals. 

DRAPER — Juan Diego’s football program is certainly in unchartered territory in 2020 coming off its first losing season since 2001 — just the school’s second year of existence.

Head coach: Greg Williams

Takes over as head coach at Juan Diego in 2020 for the legendary John Colosimo, who was head coach for all 20 seasons since the school opened. Williams was an assistant at Juan Diego for all 20 of those years as well. He’s also spent time as an assistant at Bingham and Jordan. He’s a graduate of Bingham High School and UNLV.

On top of that, long-time assistant coach Greg Williams is taking over as head coach for John Colosimo, the only head coach the school has ever known — a coach who won eight state titles in 20 seasons.

Amid some notable changes, Juan Diego’s bread-and-butter veer offense will remain the same. The defense will get a bit of a makeover, though, with new defensive coordinator Ron James.

While Williams is hopeful for a bounce-back season, the program might be a year away from competing for a state title again.

“We have a real strong junior class, they’re going to be a good group. Probably more starters out of our junior group than senior group,” said Williams.

A year ago Juan Diego’s biggest downfall was its offense, ranking ninth in 3A, averaging 23.9 points per game. In its three losses to eventual 3A champion Morgan, Grantsville and North Sanpete, it averaged only 12.3 ppg.

Williams is hopeful that with five offensive starters back and a healthy Diego Valdez at quarterback, the iconic dominant rushing offense of years past can return for the Soaring Eagle.

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Juan Diego Soaring Eagle at a glance

Coach Williams’ thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:

“I think they did real well. Our kids had even a little bit more on their plate with John (Colosimo) telling them he was retiring and a month or so wondering what was going on with the direction of the program — and then the COVID stuff. I think they handled it pretty well, pretty resilient. I think the adults take it a little tougher.”

2020 Schedule

Aug. 14 — BEAR RIVER, 7 p.m.

Aug. 21 — at Park City, 7 p.m.

Aug. 28 — SKYLINE, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 — at Manti, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 — COPPER HILLS, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 — at South Summit, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 — at Summit Academy, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 — MORGAN, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 — GRANTSVILLE, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 — PROVIDENCE HALL, 7 p.m.

Juan Diego Offensive Snapshot

Offensive coordinator: Tana Vea

2019 offense: 23.9 ppg (9th in 3A)

2019 offensive statistics

• 5 returning starters
• Split-back Veer offense

Returning offensive starters

• Diego Valdez (QB)
• Dominic Lewis (RB)
• Kayden Viczian (TE)
• Trace Monson (OG)
• Logan Huggard (C)
• Michael Clay (K)

Offensive newcomers to watch

• Dallas Larsen (RB)
• Noah Nahas (WR)
• Leo Fibieul (WR)
• Sione Ika Vea (OT)
• Michael Hulverson (OL)

Coach Williams’ keys for offensive success in 2020:

“We need to have some cohesion on the line. Our line is pretty mental, a lot of mental requirements — communication on the line, knowing where to go. Our philosophy on offense is to hold onto the ball and keep the defense off the field. We go out for a long time, not a good time. That’s what we try and pride ourself on, moving the chains and being efficient. Quarterback play, he’s going to be a lot better.”

Juan Diego Defensive Snapshot

Defensive coordinator: Ron James

2019 defense: 14.7 ppg (5th in 3A)

2019 defensive statistics

• 4 returning starters
• Multiple 40 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Sione Ika Vea (LB)
• Michael Hulverson (LB)
• Tyler Easter (SS)
• Kayden Viczian (DE)

Defensive newcomers to watch

• Dallas Larsen (LB)
• Michael Hulverson (LB)
• O’Pharoah Crockett (CB)
• Noah Nahas (CB)
• Leo Fibieul (S)

Coach Williams’ keys for defensive success in 2020:

“We’re learning a new scheme, and they’re doing pretty well with it. Coach (James) breaks it down real easy for them. The key is flying around to the ball, getting all 11 hats to the ball and trying to get takeaways.”

Deseret News outlook for 2020

By Juan Diego’s standards, last year was a big disappointment as it only won five games and then lost to 3A contenders Morgan, Grantsville and North Sanpete all by double digits. Will the program have a quick bounce-back season in 2020? With limited experience, that would seem to indicate it’s a rebuilding year, but a lot of 3A programs around the state are in a similar situation. The opening three preseason games will be great litmus tests for Juan Diego, which went 0-3 against those same teams last season.

Felt’s Facts for Juan Diego

• All-time record: 183-49 (20 years)
• Region championships: 12 (2003, 2004, 2005 co, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017)
• Playoff appearances: 19

• All-time playoff record: 40-11

• State championships: 8 (2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017)

• State championship record: 8-1

• Most played rivalry: 18 meetings with Judge Memorial dating back to 2001.


Last 5 Seasons

• 2019 — 5-6 (3-2 in Region 13 – 3A Quarterfinals)
• 2018 — 7-5 (3-2 in 3A South – 3A Semifinals)
• 2017 — 11-1 (4-1 in 3A South – 3A Champions)
• 2016 — 8-4 (4-1 in 3A North – 3A Champions)
• 2015 — 12-1 (5-0 in 3A North – 3A Champions)

Juan Diego coaching history


• 2020 — Greg Williams (0-0)
• 2000-2019 — John Colosimo (188-53) *8 State Titles

Deseret News All-State Archives

Check out our archives of Deseret News all-state teams from 1929 to 2019 at Deseret.com.

Juan Diego All-State at-a-glance

Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years


• 2017 — Zac Hoffman, QB
• 2016 — Ryan Baker, RB
• 2015 — Alex Hoffman, QB
• 2010 — Taylor Cassita, LB


Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years


• 2019 — Konnor Kaczka, OT
• 2019 — Xavier Carlton, DE
• 2018 — Hunter Easterly, FB
• 2018 — DJ Larson, OT
• 2018 — Tristen Tonozzi, ATH
• 2017 — Alex Saunders, K
• 2017 — Dallen Davis, S
• 2017 — Max Butkovich, LB
• 2017 — Kyle Abundo, DT
• 2017 — Quinn Brown, OL
• 2017 — Hunter Easterly, FB
• 2016 — Connor Dumont, OL
• 2016 — Nic Bianchi, LB
• 2016 — Stone Azarcon, CB
• 2016 — Alex Saunders, K
• 2016 — Zach Hoffman, ATH
• 2015 — Jorge Rico, OL
• 2015 — Blake Moore, LB
• 2015 — Joshua Vasquez, DB
• 2014 — Andrew Markosian, DL
• 2013 — Cole Nelson, QB

• 2013 — Semisi Bloomfield, DL

• 2013 — Harry Jones, LB

• 2013 — Andrew Montoya, K

• 2012 — Zach Schekel, OL

• 2012 — Dakota Cox, LB

• 2012 — Walter Kauhaahaa, LB

• 2011 — Jared McCauley, OL

• 2011 — Ryan McCauley, DL

• 2011 — Dakota Cox, LB

• 2010 — Oliver Weight, DB

• 2010 — Eric Heinz, TE

• 2010 — Jalin Ames, OL